NDDC Is Broke, We Need More Funds - Senator Godswill Akpabio Says

 

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has asked for more funds for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which he said is broke. The commission was in the news towards the end of last year over allegations of corruption running into billions.

At a public hearing of the national assembly, Akpabio had accused federal lawmakers of being beneficiaries of corruption.

But speaking on Friday at the NDDC Strategic Capacity Building Workshop in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, Akpabio said the funding system is poor because budgetary provision for the commission is staggered and does not come as and when due.

The minister, who referred to as for an modification to the laws establishing the organisation if need be, said he turned into determined to leave the NDDC higher than how he observed it.

“The commission is broke due to the fact the investment system is poor. We must leave NDDC higher than what we located it. If it means the lawmakers need to tinker with the regulation, so be it” he stated.

Akpabio noted corruption, weak political and institutional governance, transparency and accountability in performance facts, and lack of proper session and engagement with the communities and State Governments amongst others as challenges plaguing the fee.

“Corruption is one of the finest troubles of the Nigerian society and it additionally unearths its ugly and devastating outcomes in all sectors of the polity which includes the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“The level of corruption engulfed all of the sectors such as authorities, parastatals, ministries, government officials and community leaders even the youngsters leaders and NDDC turned into not unnoticed within the act.

“Weak political and institutional governance within the Niger Delta has brought about the misuse of public assets, poor service shipping, and the negative enforcement, of the law.

“The consequence has been the lingering restiveness, the breakdown of trust, abuse and misuse of energy between officers and the groups, and embezzlement and attendant violence.

“The modern funding styles and budgeting strategies need to embody those exceptional practices, as a way to achieve the pleasant we are able to, even as soliciting for more funding to do even extra sustainable projects and programmes,” he stated.

In his welcome cope with, the Interim Administrator/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Mr Effiong Akwa, stated the retreat became in furtherance of session with stakeholders of the commission for the rapid improvement of the location.

Akwa, who stated that NDDC become accomplished with its unsavoury beyond, stated non-stop consultation and collaboration for powerful improvement became now the focal point of the fee.

He called on stakeholders of the fee and Niger Delta to join fingers and paintings together for the gain of the the human beings.

“We are here these days in furtherance of our ongoing consultations with inner and stakeholders of the NDDC to distil commonalities among stakeholders for fast improvement of our liked Niger Delta vicinity.”

“The NDDC is born again. Contrary to its unsavoury beyond approaches, the middle of our new personae is chronic consultations and collaboration with stakeholders to co-create commonalities for powerful development of the Niger Delta.

“I beckon on all stakeholders of the NDDC and the Niger Delta, please come and allow us to cause together. Please come, allow us to work collectively to create common manner ahead for the benefit of our humans,” he said.